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Application for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate from Outside Canada

Application forms

Citizenship application forms and specifications for citizenship photos (different from those for passport photos and Mexican I.D. cards) can be downloaded from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

If you do not have access to the internet or if you need to send any correspondence regarding a citizenship application, please contact the citizenship section of the Canadian Embassy.

On April 17, 2009, the law changed and many former Canadians may reacquire citizenship. Find out more about the new law and who is affected. [ New citizenship rules ]

Child application

Children born outside Canada to a Canadian parent require a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.

The following documents must be submitted in addition to an Application for a Citizenship Certificate from Outside Canada:

a notarized copy of a document proving that one or both of the parents was a Canadian citizen when the child was born (citizenship card or Canadian birth certificate);

each parent should submit a notarized copy of one piece of valid personal identification (i.e. a passport, driver's license...); and

original birth certificate of the child which lists the parents (issued by government authorities in the country where the child was born), with an official and certified translation into English or French.

Forms and instructions to obtain Canadian birth certificates are available at the Canadian Embassy.

Retention of citizenship

If you were born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 to a Canadian parent, you are a Canadian citizen. However, if your Canadian parent was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, you may need to take steps to keep your Canadian citizenship. For more information on retention of citizenship and whether it applies to you, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Website